American History X

American History X

"We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature. These are the last words of a movie that illustrates why hate has no place in the world." Danny Vinyard, American History X.

In the movie "American History X" directed by Tony Kaye the war between races has escalated to murderous level groups around the world organizing using the internet to create a whole new intensity of hatred. The movie American History X is a perfect example of a movie that makes a claim, it is only when Derek feels hate does he realize that all people are created equal. Derek is brought up in a home with a father that was imposing racial hearsay on him and it is only when his father is shot fighting a fire in a suspected drug region. Using Derek's hate as a spark the leader of the white supremacy groups, Carmon Alexander creates a charismatic and intelligent protйgй. Derek is brought up as Carmon's scapegoat leading the Venice Beach gang called the D.O.C consisting of insecure and frustrated teens.

Derek started the D.O.C. because he said white kids shouldn't have to walk around scared anymore. As the leader he would organize looting and harassment of illegal immigrants. The final step to his downfall was three African Americans trying to steal his father's truck. He willingly murdered the three and was charged with voluntary manslaughter. Dannie said "It would have been life if I had testified."

I believe that in a setting such as a prison every one is truly equal and Derek tries to fit in with a group similar to the D.O.C. but soon realizes that they do not believe in the true clarity that he believes. He sees that on of the supremacist named Mitch is buying drugs from a Hispanic to make extra money. Derek separates from the group he tried so hard to be apart of and realizes that when he is alone he could die at any second. It is only when he decides to speak with an African American he realizes that all races he their pros and cons. Lawrence is an inmate that Derek meets doing the prison laundry and he is the only person that keeps Derek alive throughout his sentence